Extension-table.



PATENTED NOV. 28, 1905.

M. A. HANSON.

EXTENSION TABLE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAILS, 1903.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

MILES A. HANSON, OF SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN.

EXTE NSlON-TABLE T0 fry/IZ whom, it 711/607/ concern:

Be it known that I, MILES A. HANsoN, residing at Sheboygan, in the county of Sheboygan and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Extension-Tables, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in extension-tables. v

'Ihe invention pertains particularly to that class of extension-tables wherein the eXtension-leaves are carried directly by the table-- that is to say, when the table is adjusted to its smallest size the extension-leaves are disposed beneath the main top portion of the table, and when the table is extended the eX- tension-leaves are brought upwardly in a horizontal plane and continuous with the top portion. i

The primary object of my invention is to simplify and cheapen this class of tables; and with this main object and other incidental objects in view the invention consists of the devices and parts or their equivalents, as hereinafter more fully set forth. .y

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved table with the extension-leaves adjusted in order to lengthen the table. Fig. 2 is a plan view, part of the top of the table broken away and part in horizontal section. Fig. 3 is a fragment of one corner looking from the end of the table with a part of the frame of the slidable portion in section and the extensionleaf adjusted to the table-top. Fig. 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 with the hinged end of the leaf thrown upwardly and in section. Fig. 5 is alongitudinal section of a fragment of the table with the extension-leaf beneath the top of the table. Fig. 6 is a section through a fragment of the table, taken on a plane ndicated by the line 6 6 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 7 is a detail view of one of the hinges, and Fig. 8 shows the hinge in connection with the extensionleaf and the hinged end of said extensionleaf.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals 9 9 indicate the side pieces of the main frame of the table. The inner face of each of these side pieces is provided with longitudinal grooves 10 10, preferably dovetail. The inner ends of these grooves of each side piece are `separated by an inward projection 11.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application iled March 6,

top portion 12 of the table. On the under side of this top portion 12 is suspended a transverse beam 13, to which the center leg 14 of the table is connected. At their ends the main side pieces 9 are inturned to form the stops 15.

Adapted to slidingly engage with the side pieces 9 are the extension-frames, each consisting of the outer end pieces 16 16 and the side pieces 17 1.7. The side pieces 17 of each extension-frame are provided at their inner ends with the dovetail projections 18 18, which fit slidingly in the dovetail grooves 10, formed in the inner sides of the side pieces 9. These side pieces 17 are also provided on their inner sides, near the upper edges thereof, with .grooves 19, which receive outward extensions from longitudinal strips 20, secured to the under side of the top of the main top piece 12. Also secured to the inner sides of the side pieces 17 of the extensionframes are cleats 21. verse beam 22 fit beneath the cleats of each extension -frame and are secured to said cleats by means of bolts 23. To each of these beams is secured the two end legs 24 of the;l table. ln shipping the table the bolts 23 are removed and the beam 22, with the legs 24, is shipped separately, and when the table is received by the consignee it is only `necessary to adjust the beam 22 in place beneath the cleats and connect by means of the bolts 23. The extension-leaves are indicated by the numerals 25 25. These leaves are secured to the extension-frames in such manner that they maybe lowered into said frames, so as to be disposed beneath the top 12 of the table when the extension-frames are slid inwardly, or to be raised upwardly into position in line with the top 9 of the table when the extension frames are slid outwardly. To effect this, I provide plates 26 26 for each eX- tension-leaf, said plates being provided with bayonet-slots 27. These bayonet-slots are engaged by screws, pins, or projections 28, eX- tending inwardly from the cleats 21. The upper edges of the plates 26 are turned inwardly and secured to the under sides of the extension-leaves. When the screws 28 are engaging the horizontal portions of the bayonet-slots, as shown in Fig. 6, the hinged leaves are elevated, and by pushing the eX- tension-frames inwardly the inner edges of the leaves may be brought into engagement with the end edges of the top 12 of the table These side pieces are connected by the main i The ends of a trans- IOO TIO

' tions of the bayonet-slots.

and on the same horizontal plane therewith. When it is desired to lower the extensionleaves, it is necessary to pull the extensionframe outwardly to its full extent. The extension-leaf is then slid inwardly until the screws 28 come in line with the vertical por- Itis evident that when this occurs the hinged leaf may be let down into the extension frame, and the height of the vertical portions of the bayonetslots i's such that the extension-leaves when so lowered are on a planesufliciently low to permit them to clear the under side of the top 1.2 of the table, and thereby permit the extension-frames to be slid inwardly. In order to provide for the extension-leaves being of the same width as the main top portion l2 of .the table and yet at the same time per- Init of thev lowering of said leaves in the manner just described, yit is necessary that hinged end pieces 29 29 be provided for each leaf. These end pieces are hinged so as to be upwardly turned, and when the leaf is lowered will lie fiat on the top of the leaf proper. lt 1s desirable that the hinges which connect these hinged end pieces of the extensionleaves to the main portions of said leaves should be of such construction that no portion of the hinges will upstand above the top surfaces of the leaf and its end pieces. To provide for this, l have devised a special form of hinge, which is shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. This hinge consists of the two leaves 30 30, each having its edge provided with the tubular projections 31 31, with a space intermediate of said projections. Pins 32 32 engage these tubular projections. A strap 33 is bent to form two tubes 34 34. Before the pins 32 are inserted through the tubular projections 31 of the leaves the strap 33 is adjusted to the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8- that is to say, with the tubes 34 thereof in the intermediate spaces between the tubular projections of the leaves and in line with said tubular projections. The pins 32 are then passed through the alined tubes. One leaf of each hinge is connected to the end edge of the extension-leaf of the table, and the other leaf of each hinge is attached to the hinged end piece of the extension-leaf. From Fig. 8 of the drawing it will be seen that a hinge of the construction described will present a surface uniform and flush with the upper surfaces of the parts to which it is connected.

The side edges and the'end edges of the top 12 of the table are provided with a rounded bead 35 to give an ornamental effect or finish to the table. In ord er to preserve this rounded or beaded effect, the end edges of the extension leaves and the hinged ends thereof are provided with a similar bead 36. In order to permit the inner edges of the extensionleaves to fit the rounded beaded portion 35 at the end edges of the top portion 12 when the extension leaves are adjusted upwardly and the extension-frames slid inwardly, the inner edges of said extension leaves and their hinged end pieces are provided with grooves 37. The beads and grooves also form a close joint, and l prefer, therefore, to also provide the end edges of the extension-leaves with beads 38 and the inner edges of the hinged ends of said leaves with grooves 39, adapted to fit said beads.

In order to prevent the hinged end pieces of the extension-leaves from being turned upwardly on their hinges after being adjusted for the purpose of lengthening the table, l secure to the under side of said hinged end pieces, and at the outer inner edges thereof, plates 40, said plates projectingbeyond the inner edges of the hinged end pieces and adapted to extend under the top 12 of the table when the extension-leaves are raised and the extension-frame pushed inwardly.

From the above description it will be seen that when the table is adjusted to its smallest size the extension-leaves are disposed beneath the top 12 of the table, as shown most clearly in Fig. 5. hen it is desired to extend the table, the extension-frames are successively grasped and pulled outwardly, the said frames being slidably connected to the main frame by means of the provision of the engagement of the dovetail projections 18 with the dovetail grooves 10 and the engagement of the projections of the strips 2() with the grooves 19. When the extension-frame is pulled outwardly to its full extent, as limited by contact of the projections 18 with the stops 15, the extension-leaf may then be raised by grasping the hinged end pieces of said leaf and swinging the extension-leaf upwardly on the projections 28, as pivots bearing in the upper ends of bayonet-slots 27 until said leaf has cleared the end piece 16 of the extension-frame and stands on an incline of about forty-live degrees to the horizontal. The leaf is then given a horizontal push toward the center of the table, when the normally vertical portions of the bayonet-slots 27, being now inclined, ride up on the projections 28 until reaching the angle of the bayonetslots 27. Then the leaf is given a horizontal pull in the opposite direction away from the center of the table, and the normally horizontal portions of the bayonet-slots 27, being also inclined, continue to ride up on the projections 28 until the lower ends of the slots 27 are reached. Now the leaf is again swung on projections 28, bearing as pivots in the lower ends of slots 27, and lowered into position on the extension-frame, entering the pins 41 of its outer edge in the recesses 42 of the extension-frame, and thus locking the leaf in its elevated position. The table is completed by opening the hinged end pieces 29 and sliding the extension-frame inwardly until the groove 37 of the extensionleaf fits over the bead 35 of the main top portion 12,

IOO

and the lock-plates 40 are then turned under said top portion 12 to lock the hinged end pieces 29 against movement.

When it is desired to restore the table to its smaller size, the locked plates 40 are released, the extension-frame is again withdrawn, and the end pieces folded onto the extension-leaf. The extension-leaf is swung upwardly on the projections 28, bearing as pivots in the lower end of the bayonet-slots 27, and when raised suiiiciently the incline of the normally horizontal portions of said slots causes them to slide down on said projections to the angle of the slots, and then the normally vertical portions of said slots, also on an incline, do likewise, bringing the projections to their original positions at the upper ends of said slots. The extension-lealc is now again swung on the projections as pivots unt' it is lowered into its position of rest on the beam 22, and the extension-frame is pushed back under the main portion of the table.

By the combined pivotal and sliding connection of the extension-leaf it is not necessary that the entire weight of the extensionleaf should be lifted vertically by the operator but the lifting is accomplished, as just described, by a reciprocal horizontal movement, using the inclined vangular bayonetslots as cams for transforming such horizontal movement to a gradual vertical movement. The horizontal movement of double the extent of the lift is obviously much easier on the operator than a direct upward lift would be.

From the above description it will be seen that I provide a most simple construction in which the table preserves its ornate and iinished appearance either when adjusted to small size or when extended. The mechanism is simple and-the construction inexpensive.

I prefer to provide the under side of each extension-leaf, near the outer edge thereof, with one or more depending pins 41, adapted to fit in a recess or recesses 42 in the top edge of the end piece 16 of the extension-frame when the extension-leaf is adjusted on a plane and in line with the top 120i the table. By this means the extension-leaves are held iirmly in adjusted position.

. By the expression t sliding pivotal connection between the inner end of the extensionleaf and the extension-frame, as employed herein, is obviously meant a pivotal connection which is capable of a sliding movement in addition to its swinging movement.

l/Vhile I have shown and described the sliding pivotal connection between the extension-leaf and the extension-frame as being formed by an angularly-slotted plate on the extension-leaf and a pin on the extensionframe, it is obvious that the relations given are not essential to the desired operation, and these members of the connection may be transposed, so that the slotted plate is on the extension-frame and the pin on the extension-leaf, and as such construction does not depart from my invention the same 1s 1ntended to be covered by the claims, though specifying the other arrangement. Furthermore, the same is true of' the pin-and-recess connection between the extension-leaf and extension-frame.

'Vhat I claim as my invention is- 1. In an extension-table, the combination of a main frame comprising side pieces and a connecting top piece, an extension-frame comprising side pieces and a connecting end piece, said side pieces of the extension-frame having a sliding connection with the mam frame, an extension-leaf, and a sliding pivotal connection between the inner end of the extension-leaf and the extension-frame comprising an angularly-slotted plate on the extension-leaf and a projection on the extension -frame working in the angular slot, whereby the extension-leaf is provided with a pivotal bearing at two different elevations so that it may be swung into position on top of the extension-frame and also be swung into position within the extension-frame, said change being accomplished by a reciprocal horizontal movement of the extensionleaf after being swung to an inclined position.

2. In an extension-table, the combination of a frame comprising side pieces and a connecting top piece, an extension-frame comprising side pieces and a connecting end piece, said side pieces of the extension-frame having a sliding connection with the main frame, an extension-leaf, a sliding pivotal connection between'the inner end of the extension-leaf and the extension-frame comprising a pin on the extension-frame having a pair of bearings on the extension-leaf at different elevations and connected by means of an angular guideway so that the extensionleaf may have a lower pivotal bearing to lower it beneath the level of the table and an upper pivotal bearing to bring it onto the extension-frame at a horizontal position lush with the main table-top and forward of its lower position, and means i'or connecting the extension leaf with the extension frame guided in its engagement by the last-mentioned swinging movement of the extensionleaf.

3. In an extension-table, the combination of a main frame comprising side pieces and a connecting top piece, an extension-frame comprising side pieces and a connecting end piece, said side pieces of the extension-frame having a sliding connection with the main frame, and an extension-leaf having a sliding pivotal connection with the extension-frame comprising angularly-slotted plates on the extension-leaf and projections on the extension-frame slidable in the angular slots there- LOO offsaidvplates forming amguideand Ydouble bearing for the projections and constituting a rigid support for the inner edge of the leaf when the leaf is in its upper position.

4. ln an extension-table, the combination of a inain franie, an extension-frame slidable beneath the inain fraine, an extension-leaf, and a pivotal connection between the extension-leaf and the extension-frame, said pivotal connection comprising a pin on the extension-frame having pivotal bearings at different elevations on the extension-leaf and at the ends of an angular' guiding-slot on said extension-leaf connecting said pivotal bearings, whereby the leaf may be first tilted and raised from a lower folded position and then drawn forward and swung down to an elevated horizontal position for use, and supported in said elevated position.

5. In an extension-table, the combination of a inain fraine, an extension-frame slidable withrelation to the inain frame, an extension-leaf, and a sliding pivotal connection between the extension-leaf and the extensionfrarne, said pivotal connection comprising a pin on the extension-frame and a slotted plate on the extension-leaf forming bearings at different elevations connected by an angular guideway for the pin, whereby the extension-leaf niay be tilted and raised and then drawn forward and swung down into position on the extension-frame, with one edge projecting beyond the edge of the extension-frame to forrn the end of the extended table-top.

In testimony whereof I affix rny signature in presence of two witnesses.

MILES A. HANSGN.

Witnesses:

T. M. BowLER, HENRY SOHIKLER. 

